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Blood in Urine?

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Posted 1/16/2010 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 24 and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in Nov. 2008.  As if that wasn't enough, I recently went for some routine blood work and a urinalysis, and the urine sample results showed blood in my urine--higher than normal.  So my primary physician has referred me to a urologist, who wants me to have some x-rays done and a cystoscopy--which involves the doctor putting a tube with a camera up my urethra.  Apparently it's very uncomfortable and it's not something I'm looking forward to--I'm going to make a special request to be sedated if I have it done.  Is this normal procedure or are there other ways to diagnose the root cause of what may be causing the blood?

I do not have visible blood in my urine (it only shows up when the samples are analyzed, but apparently the amount is high enough to warrent further investigation).  Has anyone had this happen?  I'm taking prednisone right now for my UC--can this cause a side effect like blood in the urine?

I'm already thinking about the worst-case scenarios of what this could all mean...

I would appreciate any advice or insight.

_________________

CollegeGrad85

dx with UC 11/09

Taking reduced dose of Pred (10 mg daily), Align Probiotic

2-4 bms a day right now, no blood

Posted 1/16/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
My son has had blood in his urine - the cause was kidney stones. I guess the stones can nick the surrounding areas as they move around, even if you've had no other clue that they are present. (In other words, no pain.)

In my son's case, actually, the stones were not UC-related - they were calcium stones caused by a malformed calyx, the part that moves the fluid into the kidney, but I know that stones also can be UC-related, in which case I believe (I could be wrong) they are oxalate stones.

In summary - there are several reasons for blood cells in the urine, and not all of them are that dramatic, so, I hope this helps.
Posted 1/16/2010 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
And PS -
My son had to have that est done when he was 6, and if I remember correctly they used a local anesthetic. He didn't complain.
Posted 1/16/2010 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
For what it's worth...my husband ALWAYS has blood in his urine and there's absolutely nothing wrong with him.  He has a yearly physical for his job and it's always there but no cause.

And it could be kidney stones...I've had those and there was blood in my urine that was not visible.

don't stress too hard, it could be nothing.

Posted 1/16/2010 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Are you sure the blood is caused by UC? My urine had 1-2 red cells per screen before UC at times. Doctors suspected prostatitis, sex activity, **********, infection, etc. No, it was not. I had nothing. But blood just existed somehow/sometime!
Posted 1/16/2010 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I just recently went thru this. I had the cystoscopy (on morphine and I was fine). My bladder was healthy and when I seen the urologist last, she did another urinalysis which showed traces of blood but then my GI just recently did another urinalysis and no blood. So I am not sure why I had it.
Posted 1/16/2010 5:05 AM (GMT 0)

Hello! I too, had blood in my urine. At first it was all blood (passing as urine), no pain. Was given Cipro which I thought got rid of it because I couldn't see any blood. However, when i was re-tested, still had blood but no infection this time. Again, no pain. I saw a urologist and he did give me the cystoscopy and I asked about the sedation. I was told it really was not bad. I didn't buy it but I didn't have a choice. The fact was, it really wasn't bad. It lasted about 3 or 4 minutes. Not sure if you have ever had a catheter before but it felt a little like that. I too was scared but I did fine. They found that I had 4 small kidney stones.

I hope this puts you at ease a little bit. My best to you, please let us know how you do!

Posted 1/16/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone--
Thanks for the feedback--it does ease my mind. I've been told it's likely I have kidney stones, so we'll see. Like I said, I don't have any visible blood in my urine when I go, but the amount is high enough in the urinalysis that they want to do some testing.

I'm still somewhat worried about the cystoscopy as I've been told that it can be more uncomfortable for men than women due to the narrowness of the male urethra, but the responses of this forum have reassured me. I've been wrestling with the decision of whether to be completely sedated for the procedure or awake with just some local anestetic and morphine. I know it's short but just the thought of what it entails makes me cringe, you know?

But thank you--much of my fear has been relieved. I just want to get this darn thing over with now!

CollegeGrad85
Posted 1/17/2010 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
I am a chronic stoner....have been told UC symptoms, dehydration etc can cause them. They come and go. Most have passed w/o litho... If UC wasnt enough...


If you have stones, keep hydrated. Find out what type of stones they are...diet change could help.....
Posted 1/17/2010 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have pain with urination? It could be a UTI. Also, I agree with everyone who says it might be kidney stones.
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